Elizabeth Johnson

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Johnson, 88, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, at home in Durango, Colo. A Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Columba Catholic Church and Father James Koenigsfeld of St. Columba Catholic Church will be officiating. Mrs. Johnson was born Nov. 24, 1923, in Natick, Mass., the daughter of George and Elizabeth Murphy. She grew up and attended schools in Natick. Betty married William H. Johnson in 1951 at St. Patrick’s Church in Natick. They moved to Newton Lower Falls, Mass., and it was there that they raised their family. After William passed away in 1977 she moved back to Natick, and in 2006 she moved to Durango to be closer to her son Neil and his family. She was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church, as well as an avid reader, active walker, enthusiastic traveler, and loving mother and grandmother. Her family said, “Her Irish charm and straight-forward approach to life will be missed by all.” She is survived by her sons Richard (Sarah) Johnson of Yorktown, Va., Paul (Amy) Johnson of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Neil (Karen) Johnson of Durango. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a niece and nephew that were very special to her, Maureen Edgecomb of Arlington, Mass., and Stephen Murphy of West Yarmouth, Mass. She was preceded in death by her husband, William, in 1977, and a brother, Frederick Murphy, in 2011. Graveside services will be held at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Natick, Mass, on October 27, 2012, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. Columba Catholic Church, 1801 E. 3rd Ave., Durango, CO 81301, or St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, Mass 01760.